Enablers

Strong support for property rights

Many of the goals in this report aim to protect private property from flooding, natural disaster or sustained resource shortages. This is an area where parties from all parts of the political spectrum can find common ground.

Support for measures that save money

Many of the goals in this report would result in cost savings to homeowners, businesses and/or taxpayers. Whether through lowering energy or water use, simplifying landscape maintenance or minimizing damage from storms, we hope the message of saving money and using our resources wisely is one this Region can rally behind.

Economy and jobs

Our Region’s economy has withstood the recession much better than many others around the state, and that strength is an asset to build on. We must use the talent and knowledge we already have here in the George Washington Region to find ways to create new green jobs here, and to allow residents to telecommute to employers that remain based outside of the Region.

Existing green infrastructure

Already, significant progress has been made to strengthen the green infrastructure of the George Washington Region. In 2006, the Fredericksburg City Council approved a permanent conservation easement on 4,232 acres running 25 miles upstream on the Rappahannock and Rapidan rivers. The Spotsylvania Greenways Initiative, Fredericksburg Pathways Partners and Friends of the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail have provided many volunteer hours toward expanding the region’s system of greenways. Many private landowners and groups such as the Central Virginia Battlefields Trust have used conservation easements and other mechanisms to protect open spaces in this Region. These are efforts to build on moving forward.

Student population

The University of Mary Washington and Germanna Community College bring to the Region a wealth of students and faculty with knowledge and energy to help find solutions to these problems. Through independent studies, service projects and other collaborations, the Region stands to benefit greatly from the contributions of students and faculty to the items laid out in this plan.